Refrigerator



June 14, 1932.

J.' R. REPLOGLE RIEEFRIGERATOR 3 .Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 28, 1921 9 d w @Q Q e e o 2 o 4 e 2 2 I a Il l |I|||I|| .IIIIII x 9 Q /w w \v M wl. |1 n e e :NNW ,i l LI e. 0 i f M 5 ,M7 n //l/ M8 o lll y a w I 0 5 2J 3 4 14% 1 1 9 Z H 1 Z Jun 14, 1932. J.'R. RPLOGLE REFRIGERATOR original Filed Feb.. ze. '1921' A 47 50 f5 62 44 ij 65' y 29 M @5 E 62 6,5 44 sz 7 41,20 r 2/ f3 i l y 6a" 7 24 f zz 5 l i f 4,28 *573. L l 1 2712 4 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y June 14, 1932.

- J. ya. REPLOGLE REFRIGERATOR Original Filed Feb. 28, 1921 s sheets-sheet 's Patented .lime 14, 1932.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'o1-Flea JOHN B. REPLOGLE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 KELVINATOR CORPORATION, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN aumentaron.

Original application led February 28, 1921, Serial No. 448,331, now Patent No. 1,719,02A, and in Canada February 11, 1922. Divided and this 'application filed May 1 4, 1927. Serial No. 191,478.

This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and to such as are particularly adapted for domestic use, in which a cooling unit is supported within the cooling compartment of a refrigerator cabinetor the like,

the present application being a division of my copending application, Serial No.l 448,- 331, filed February 28, 1921.

This invention has for an object the provi- 'sion of an improved adjustable and resilient supporting means for the cooling unit Within this coolin compartment.

Another o ject is to provide an effective means for excluding Warm outside air'from the cooling unit andat the same time permit access to the ends of ice trays, food receptacles, or the like for the purpose of their inv sertion and removal. y

Another object is the provision of an im` front of the said Warm air excluding means.`

Other objects more or lessincidental or ancillary to the foregoing will be apparent from an examination of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a refrigerator assembly, with some parts shown in section and other parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to 1. Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the refrigerating or brine tank, with the vapor'- izer therein, some parts being broken away and some being shown insection.

Flg. 4 is a front elevation of the devlce .sliown'in Fig. 3some parts being broken away and some beine' shown in section,

l have shown 1n Figs. 1 and 2 a cabinet l..

This cabinet is divided as shown by means of a partition wall 2 into a refrigerator compartment 3 and a machine compartment 4. The exterior top, bottom, front, back and end Walls of this cabinet are designated by the reference characters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively. These Walls are rigidly secured to"-v gether in any convenient manner and are braced by means of suitable bars 10 as sh'own in Fig. 2. A lining of insulating material 11 is provided for the refrigerator compartment 3. It will be noted that the lining provided at the ends and back of this compartment is spaced from the exterior Walls of the cabinet; which construction, as will be readily understood, providcs a dead air heat insulating space 12 between' the refrigerator compartment 3 and the exterior walls thereof.

Located Within or adjacent to the compartment 3 as for example at one side and Within the upper portion of this compartment, is a relatively small refrigeratin g or cooling chamber 14 open at its front end andclosed by thedoor 15. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) The Walls of the compartment 3 may form two sides and the top of this chamber. The remaining side 16j and the bottom 17 of this chamber also may be provided With heat insulating material. although this is not necessary. A lining 18 of any suitable material forms the interior Walls of this chamber. Two openings are provided onel above the other for the circulation of air through the chamber. As shown, the side Wall 16 is provided at its upper'end with an opening 19 and the bottom Wall 17 is provided With an opening 2() forsuch circulation of air. A thermostatically controlled damper mechanisln 21, which constitutes the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 452,397, 'tiled March 14. 1921, controls the circulation of air through the opening 20 in a manner which will be readily understood.

The arrangement of the cooling chamber provides a continuous L-shaped food compa rtment 22. one part thereof extending vertically along the side of the cooling chamber 14 and the other laterally beneath the said chamber. This Afood compartment is lined with porcelain or enameled material, as is common in such structures. This compartment 22 is closed by any convenient arrangement of doors. As shown, this is accomplished by means of the full length main door 23, and the smaller door 24 located beneath the door 15.

The machine compartment i in the lower portion of the cabinet l is adapted to contain a motor-compressor-eondenser unit. It is to be noted here that in the broader aspects of my invention it is not essential that this machine compartment be located in the same cabinet with the refrigerator compartment as the same can be installed in a remote position such as the basement or a different room of the building. This machine compartment is adapted to be closed by means of a tightly fitting door Q5 so that any noise of the Aoperating mechanism within Will be reduced to a minimum.

lVithin this machine compartment i I have installed, as was stated, the motor-compressor-condenser unit which forms an essential part of a refrigerating system which maintains a low temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3. This unit comprises an electric motor 26, a compressor 27 driven by the motor. and a water cooled condenser Q8. The compressor is adapted to receive vaporized refrigerant through its suction inlet, compress the vapor and discharge it into the. condenser where the combined pressure and cooling liqucfy it. The motor-coinpressor-condenser unit will not be described in detail since. so far as the present invention is concerned, any apparatus can be used that is adapted to liqucfy refrigerant vapor. However.l it is'observed that the unit shown in the drawings is described in detail in my application Serial No. 448,331.y above referred to.

The suction side of compressor 27 is connected by a conduit 29 with the vapor space of a -vaporizer forming part of a cooling unit 30. The discharge port of the condenser is connected by a conduit 31 to the refrigerant inlet ot the said vaporizer, said conduit being adapted to conduct liquid refrigerant to the vaporizer from the condenser. Any suitable refrigerant can be employed in so far as some features of the invention are concerned, but-1 prefer to use sulphur dioxide (SO2).

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, it Will be n seen that the cooling unit 30 Which is snpported within the cooling chamber 14, comprises a brine tank 32 which carries in its upper left hand portion an expansion chamber or header` 3S This header 33 is in effect the storage tank or chamber for the refrigerant material, and has tubes 34 depending therefrom and arranged wit-hin the brine tank for the circulation of liquid refrigerant contained in the header. The tubes' are bent to fori'n loops which have both their ends connected to the side Walls of the said header. As shown, each of the tube loops is connected at one end 35 to the left side of the header near the bottom, and at the left of the. center thereof, and the opposite end 36 is connected to the right side Wall of the header at a point above the left hand connection, so as to promote a circulation of liquid refrigerant in the tubes, as Will be' readily understood. These loops are arranged in planesI parallel to each other and at right anglesl to the header as can be seen from an examination of Figs. 3 and i. Nithin the interior of the header I have provided a iioat actuated valve 37 for the purpose of regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant into the header from the pipe 3l. The level of liquid refrigerant is maintained above the ends of the pipe loops by means of this float vali'c. ln the upper portion of the header l havi` shown an opening 38 through which the vapoi'ous refrigerant may return by means of the pipe 29. to the suction side of the coinpressor as was described above. The projections 39, 39 are formed on each side of the header and rest on the-top surface 40 of the brine tank 32. These projections 39, 39 forni the supporting means for the header and dcpeiiding tube loops arranged Within the brine tank. The abutting surfaces of the header and brine tank are soldered to forni liquid tight joints therebetween.

The brine tank 32 is constructed of any suitable material and has a plurality of series of aligned openings 12, 4:7. formed in the front and rear Walls thereof. These openings are adapted to be closed by means of elongated tubular sleeves 43, 43 which forni part ot' the wall structure of the tank, the joints between the sleeves and the said tank walls being, ol' course, liquid tight, The sleeves are. arranged within the space defined by the tube loops and constitute food chambers adapted to receive trays or any suitable receptacles '-l-k-i-l for the chilling of edibles or the freezing of irc,

as the case might be. At 45 l have shown an opening adapted to be sealed by means of a plug 46 and through whiclithe tank may be illed with any suitable heat conducting nicdiiiin having a comparatively low frecicing 1 point, preferably calcium chioride (Cable) solution. lt will be seen that the cooling unit consists essentially of a vaporizer, comprising header and depending tube loops, and a brine tank in the brine of which the vaporizcr is partly immersed.

rlhe cooling unit is supported Within the cooling chamber l-l by means of a plurality of cradle supports 4:7. 47. Each of these. supports is formed by bending an ordinary tlat strip of suitable metal in the forni of a It), and having theiippei ends of the. U bent; inwardly to forni attaching members 4S. 43. The cooling unitI rests on the bottoni horizontal leg of this bl in the manner shown, and

is secured in position by means of `suitable clamping screws 49 engaging the upper surface of the brine tank 32. These screws are mounted in the horizontal flange 50 of angle members 51 and are locked in position by means of the nuts 52. The vertical flange 53 ofeach angle member 51 is secured in any suitable manner tothe right hand verti.- cal leg of each of the cradle supports 47. I havev provided in the wall structure of the cabinet directly above the cooling'chamber 14 two channel bars 54, 54. These bars'are properly supported from the framework below the top wall and exterior of'the lining as is shown in the upper part of Fig. 2. Bolts 55, 55 are secured at their upper ends to the webs of the channel bars 54, 54 and 'project downward through the insulating material 11 and upper lining 18 for the cooling charnber 14 and into the interior of the latter. The inwardly bent attaching members 48, 48 have slots 56, 56 formed therein for the reception of the lower end of the supporting bolts 55', 55. The supporting bolts aresecured in these slots by means of spacing sleeves57, 57 and nuts 58, 58 secured to the outer end of the bolts. The slots 56, 56 provide a means for adjusting the cooling unit 30 laterally of the cooling chamber 14. Theweight of the cool- Y ing unit will tend to straighten the attaching members at the points 59, 59; but due to the natural elasticityof the metal used, this straightening tendency will be' resisted, and will thereby provide a resilient supporting means for the cooling unit as will be readily understood.

It will be seen from an examination of` Fig. 2 that I have provided a cover 60 closing the .entire-front of the cooling chamber 14. This cover will act as a guard plate to prevent the warm outside air from entering the cooling chamber 14 and also as a means vfor hiding the unsightly-cooling unit parts during the period that the door 15 thereto j. is open. The exterior surface of the guard plate is covered with some suitable material such as enamel so as to'present a pleasing effect to the eye and thereby serves as a finishing plate for the front of the cooling chamber. I have provided a series of openings 61, 61

in this guard plate corresponding in number to the food chambers orsleeves 43, 43 in the brine .tank and adapted to align therewith. The receptacles 44, 44 for receiving food` to be chilled such as desserts or the like orwater to be frozen, are inserted throughthese openings into the food chambers or sleeves 43, 43'.

Plates 62, 62 are attached to the front wall ofl each `of the food receptacles 44. These plates rest against the outside surface of the guard plate when in position, 4and form a closure vfor the openings 61, 61 in the guard plate in the manner shown. As these'plates 62 abut the outer surface of the guard plate 60, they will also form in connection with the guardplate, a means for limitin the inward movement of the receptacles. handle 63 is provided on each plate 62 for facilitating the insertion and'removal ofthe food receptacles as will be readily understood.

The outer surface of the yguard plate will become frosted when the outer door 15 of the cooling compartment is closed due to the con- (lensing and freezing on the plate of the moisture present in the air. Also, when this doorv is again opened the contacting airwill melt some of the frost, and also an additional. amount of moisture will be condensed on the plate from the airlast entering. This will result in an appreciable amountiof water form- Iing'on the surface of the guard plate and flowing down the front thereof and collecting on the lower horizontal portion 64.' The opening 65 isprovided in the lower portion 64 of theguard plate and will drain away this surplus water and thus prevent it from trick- .ling d'oWnkthe outerwall or face of the refrigerator cabinet thereby injuring the finish thereof. The drainage water willpass into the chamber 14 from whence it i's-,conducted l to the sewer by means'of the condiuit 66.

The slots 56 in the attaching members 48,

48 provide an improved adjustable means for the brine tank supports 47, 47 thereby perm'itting the lateral shifting of the brine tank so that the food chambers 43, 43 therein may be placed in proper alignment with the openings 61, 61 in the guard plate. In forming they cradle supports for the :brine tank with .inwardly bent attaching members 48,v 48 I have provided simple me-ans for resilently supporting the brine tank, so as to ac commodate any slight vibration that may be transmitted to the cooling unit-through the pipe connections between'it andthe compressorcondenser unit. Also, the resilient support'of the cooling unit is adapted to resist shock and vibrationthat may be encountered duringl transportation.

The guard plate 60 closing the front of the cooling chamber permits access to the food receptacles and at the same time prevents y warm outside air from entering the interior of the cooling chamber and raising the temperature of the aircontained therein, the plates 62 making the guardplate y60 more effective to this end, and at thel same time act.- ing to limit the inward movement of the food receptacles 44. The unsightly cooling unit parts are hidden from view when the outer door is open as the guard plate closes the entire front of the cooling chamber. Also the exterior finished surface of the guard plate will present a pleasing eiiect to the eye. vThe opening 65 and the conduit 66 provide an effective means for conducting away'the surplus water formed on the surface of the guard plate.

iVhile I have shown and described 4in some detail ythe preferred construction and preferred arrangement ot' the parts,l it will be understood that in all respects there can be wide variations without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

IVhat I claim as my invention is l. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber; a brine tank located in said cooling cham'ber and formed with a horizontally disposed interior food chamber opening through the front wall ot the said brine tank; and a guard plate for the front of said coolingchamber formed with an opening to register with the said food chamber; said tank being adjustably snpportcd whereby the desired alignment of the chamber with the opening in said guard plate can readily be secured.

2. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination ot a cooling chamber; a brine tank located in said cooling chamber and formed with a horizontally disposed interior food chamber opening through the front wall of the said brine tank; a guard plate for the front of said cooling chamber 'formed with an opening to register with the said food chamber; and means for adjustably supporting the brine tank.

3. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber; a brine tank located in said cooling chamber and formed with a horizontally disposed interior food chamber opening through the front wall of the said brine tank; a guard plate for the front of said cooling chamber formed with an opening to register with the said food chamber; said tank being adjustably supported whereby the desired alignment ot the chamber with the opening in said guard plate can readily be secured; a tray adapted to be inserted into-t-he opening in said guard plate and said food chamber; and means limiting the inward movement of the said tray.

4. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber having a door opening; a cooling unit supported within the interior thereof; means for receiving a food receptacle within the said cooling unit; a guard plate closing the door opening in said chamber for excluding warm outside air, said guard plate having an opening therein for the insertion of a food receptacle into the cooling unit; and an outer door for closing said chamber opening.

5. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber having a door opening; a cooling unit supported within the interior thereof; means for receiving a food receptacle within said cooling unit; a guard plate closing the door opening in said chamber for excluding warm outside air, and having an opening therein; a food receptacle extending through the Said opening and into the cooling unit; and means for limiting the inward movement of the said food receptacle.

6. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber having a door opening; a cooling unit supported within the interior thereof; means for receiving a food receptacle within said cooling unit;` a guard plate for excluding warm outside air, closing the opening of the said cooling chamber, and having an opening therein; a food receptacle extending through the said opening and into the cooling unit; and means carried by the said receptacle for closing the opening in the guard plate when the said receptacle is in position within the cooling unit.

7. In a refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cabinet comprisingexterior top, bottom and side enclosing walls; attaching and bracing means for said exterior enclosing walls: a lining ot insulating material located within the said enclosing walls and spaced tlierctrom; an inner lining for the said cabinet within the said insulating material; U-shaped channel bars supported from the cabinet structure at a. point below the said top wall and exterior ot said inner lining; a cooling unit located within said cabinet; and means for supporting said cooling unit from the said U-shaped channel bars.

8. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber, having a door opening; an outer door for closing said cooling chamber opening; mechanically operated cooling means disposed within the interior ot' said cooling chamber; and a guard plate disposed between said cooling means and said outer door, and closing the opening of said cooling chamber, for excluding the warm outside air from said cooling unit.

9. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber; an outer door for closing said cooling chamber; mechanically operated cooling means disposed within the interior ot said cooling chamber; a nishing plate disposed between the said outside door and said cooling means; and means for conducting away condensed moisture from the front of said finishing plate.

10. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber; an outer door for closing said cooling chamber; a cooling unit supported within the interior thereof and having means for receiving receptacles for food; and a 'guard plate for excluding Warm outside air closin the front of the said cooling chamber w en the said door is open and having an opening therein for the insertion of `a food receptacle into the said cooling unit; the said guard plate having a drainage opening in the lower portion thereof.

l1. In refrigeration apparatus, the combination of a cooling chamber; an outer door for closing said cooling chamber; a cooling unit disposed within said chamber and having means for receiving receptacles for food; a guard plate for excluding warm outside air from said cooling unit closing the front of said chamber when the said door is open and having an opening therein for the insertion of food receptacles into said cooling unit; the said guard plate havin a drainage opening in the lower portion t ereof; and means associated with the said drainage opening `for conducting away condensed moisture.

12. Refrigerating apparatus comprising the combination with a cabinet havin a cooling compartment; of a cover for sald compartment and having an o ening therein; of a cooling unit adapted to be located within the compartment andhavingan o ening adapted to be arranged to register wlth the opening in said cover ;y of a support for said cooling unit, said support comprising means for adjustably securing the cooling unitV in position with respect to said cover.

13. Refrigerating apparatus comprising the combination with a cabniet including a liningvof insulating material and outer walls spaced from said linin of a coolin unit adapted to be supporte within the ca inet; and means supported by the outer walls of the cabinet and located within the lining and adapted to receive the cooling unit and hav.

ing provisions permittin movement of the cooling unit relative to t e cabinet.

InA testimony whereof I hereunto aix my r signature.

.JOHN R. REPLOGLE. 

